BSH Laboratory Services

BSH uses state-of-the-art technology and follows international standards to ensure precise and accurate results with minimal turnaround time. The laboratory processes more than 20,000 tests per month.

Overview

Bahrain Specialist Hospital began operations in 2002 as a fully serviced reference laboratory offering more than 1,000 tests (350 in-house) across multiple healthcare subspecialties, 24/7. The laboratory also serves the BSH Riffa branch and is renowned for its accuracy, reliability, and exceptionally high-quality diagnostic services.

Over 2.5 million tests are processed annually. With strong emphasis on quality results, patient care, and professional consultation from experienced pathologists, BSH Laboratory continues to be the preferred reference lab for clinicians and patients for over 20 years.

Quality Assurance

Our team of consultants, medical technologists, and administrators is highly trained to use cutting-edge technology and advanced automation.

• Internal quality assurance checks conducted regularly
• Participation in international external QA programs (RIQAS)
• Collaboration with international reference laboratories for special tests
• Compliance with NHRA, JCI, and international accreditation standards
• Continuous medical education and conference participation by laboratory staff

Advanced Cutting-Edge Technology

The BSH Laboratory is a high-end, fully automated, bi-directionally interfaced unit equipped with state-of-the-art platforms including Vitek 2 Compact, BD Surepath, and Qiastat systems.

BSH was the first private hospital in Bahrain to introduce MIC testing for antibiotics using VITEK (2007), and among the first to launch a complete qPCR lab in 2018.

Our Modern Equipment Includes:

• Mindray CL 1000 I
• Mindray BS600M
• Sysmex XN 330 & XN 530
• Bactec FX 40
• Cobas 6000 & Cobas E411
• Minividas
• Stago
• Chorus Trio
• Leica Cryostat
• Thermoscientific Tissue Processor
• Histology Leica & Thermoscientific Microtomes
• Leica Automated Stainer
• BD Surepath for PAP smear
• Cytopro Vescor
• Vitek 2 Compact
• Cobas U411
• qPCR Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast
• Qiastat DX

New Machines Introduced in 2025

• BD Phoenix M50
• Diasorin
• Bioeksen (MIC) qPCR Machine
• Mindray Integrated BS600-CL2600i

Services Offered

Home Blood Collection

Free home phlebotomy services launched in 2022. Samples are collected at a convenient time (7 AM–3 PM) and safely transported to the laboratory.

Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology

• Routine and specialty biochemical tests including Tacrolimus and high-sensitivity Troponin
• Hormonal assays, vitamins, tumor markers
• Advanced immunoassays and ELISA

Hematology

• CBC using Sysmex XN 530 analyzers with advanced flags
• Peripheral smears, manual platelet counts, reticulocytes
• CSF and body fluid counts
• Malarial parasite detection
• Coagulation assays: PT, APTT, INR

Microbiology & Mycology

• Cultures for all clinical specimens
• Rapid bacterial identification and antibiotic sensitivity using VITEK 2
• Antibiogram since 2004
• Fungal KOH preps, yeast & mold cultures
• Antifungal susceptibility: Amphotericin, Caspofungin, Fluconazole, etc.

Clinical Pathology

• Urine analysis
• Stool analysis for parasites
• Stool antigen testing

Molecular Biology

• First private hospital qPCR lab (2018)
• Respiratory & GI infectious disease PCR panels
• COVID-19 PCR (NHRA approved)
• CSF meningitis PCR within 24 hours
• CMV, Pneumocystis carinii PCR

Histopathology & Cytology

Histopathology

• Processing & interpretation of surgical specimens
• Frozen section services
• Kidney & liver biopsy interpretation
• CAP protocol tumor staging

Cytopathology

• PAP smears for cervical cancer screening
• Cytospin for body fluids
• Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)

Specialized Collaborations

• Radioimmunoassay
• Immunophenotyping
• Cytogenetics
• Toxicology & TDM
• Immunohistochemistry
• Nucleic Acid Testing
• Apheresis
• NIPD testing

BSH Lab Advantage

• JCI-accredited facility meeting global standards
• Over 2.5 million tests processed annually
• Rapid turnaround times
• Direct communication with clinicians
• Internal & external quality control systems (RIQAS)
• Doorstep sample pickup, convenient billing, email reports
• Highly qualified laboratory team
• Most advanced technology in Bahrain

Exclusive Tests at BSH Laboratory

• Stool Campylobacter culture
• Candida identification & antifungal MIC testing
• Stool antigen tests: Salmonella, Campylobacter, Entamoeba, Giardia, Cryptosporidia
• Stool PCR (2–3 hours)
• Gamma interferon (48 hours)
• Serum Tacrolimus (24 hours)
• High-sensitivity Troponin (1 hour)
• CSF meningitis PCR (6–8 hours)
• Autoimmune profile (48 hours)

Contact Numbers

• Laboratory Reception: 17812053, 17812056, 17812078
• Biochemistry: 17812407
• Hematology: 17802054
• Histology & Cytology: 17802312
• Microbiology & Clinical Pathology: 17812313, 17812490
• Molecular Biology: 17802544
• Consultant Pathologist: 17812055
• Specialist Pathologist: 17812058
• Assistant Lab Manager: 17812490

BSH Lab Webinar

National webinar on Antibiotic Stewardship – May 2021:
Watch on YouTube

BSH Lab Research Publications

• Hemodialysis-related bacteremia elimination – 2013
• Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns – 2019
• Bacterial pathogen prevalence – 2019
• Group A Streptococcus rapid antigen test – 2020
• Pediatric bacterial infections – 2021
• Prostatitis pathogen resistance – 2021